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WARMEST GREETINGS The most magical time of year is finally upon us! It’s a sentiment that rings true whether you plan to deck your halls for the season before Thanksgiving or in the weeks that follow. The date of decoration has been a point of contention in my household over the years. We have two firm holiday camps, each proudly standing their ground and yearly presenting their case on whether or not the Christmas décor should be unpacked a moment before the Thanksgiving meal has ended and the dishes have all been put away. As a lover of Christmas, I long to see the glow of twinkling lights, festive garlands, and my favorite sentimental ornaments all year long, and I start planting the seed for early decoration in late summer…
When it comes to festive décor, the Christmas tree is the ultimate expression of a home’s holiday style. No matter what makes the season special for a homeowner, putting careful thought into the design of the tree is the perfect way to express a wide variety of unique seasonal styles. Whether flocked in snowy elegance, wrapped in shimmering ribbon, or dripping with cherished heirloom ornaments, every tree has a story to tell. From classic winter scenes to Yuletide dreams brimming with whimsy, this collection of stylish trees is trimmed with plenty of inspiration for any home’s holiday décor centerpiece.…
Upon realizing that their current home would no longer meet their growing family’s needs, Ryanne and Michael Player found themselves facing a dilemma. “We couldn’t tear our house down, because it was a perfectly good home,” Ryanne says, explaining that they’d already completed one addition and had exhausted their leads for a new location. “So, we just really had to pray about it.” The answer came in the form of a nonprofit called Build UP, which allowed them to donate and relocate their house, clearing the way for them to build their dream home. These days, when Christmas comes around, you can find the Players celebrating in their two-story brick home complete with the large kitchen and abundant windows that were must-haves in the new design. Although the exterior—which is…
Since their time as students at Utah State University, designer Heidi Parson and her husband, Brett, longed to return to Providence, Utah, where majestic mountain views give way to gorgeous canyons and turquoise-colored lakes for a picturesque setting no matter the season. Years later, the couple, with their four children in tow, once again calls the charming town home, and their classic Colonial-style new build proves to be just as striking as its surroundings—especially when the French-inspired interiors are spruced up with festive holiday flourishes. The entry immediately sets the tone for a grand display balanced by a warm and comforting ambience that puts guests at ease. “[The entry] is that first moment when you step inside and Christmas engulfs you,” Heidi says. “I love grand spaces with tall ceilings…
Stepping through a foyer lined with greenery and sparkling with festive knickknacks, guests to this Alabama home are greeted with the warm glow of a grand tree nestled by the fireplace. Settled within its branches, a tableau of cherished ornaments is expertly matched with colorful ribbon and cheerful accents—the work of decorator Lisa Lester, who approached the home’s holiday design with enthusiasm. “[The homeowner] had fabulous stuff,” Lisa says, explaining that her goal was to seamlessly blend the new elements with the pieces that were so special to the family, like the stockings on the mantel that were made by a family friend and inspired the tree’s palette. “She wanted a very traditional tree in the family room … which I really loved.” The lively shades and whimsical charm that…
Sheila Robinette first fell in love with her historic home in Lewisburg, West Virginia, as a teenager but never dreamt she would one day call it her own. “I’ve always loved the house,” she says. “I would pass by on the way to high school, and I always thought it was such a homey home. It looked like a storybook house, and I would always wonder who lived there.” So, when this extraordinary home, built in 1902, came on the market 11 years ago, Sheila says, “It was a no-brainer! Within the week, we put an offer down, and the rest is history.” Over the years, Sheila has enjoyed the privilege of learning much of the home’s extensive history as well as that of its previous owners. “A lot of…
